Just Talk with Jesus: Protection

...You have been my help,
    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. (Psalm 63:7)

Now may the God of peace Himself
sanctify you completely.
And may your spirit, soul, and body 
be kept sound and blameless 
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful, 
who also will do it.
Brothers, pray for us also.
(I Thessalonians 5:23-24 HCSB Read it in context here)

I use a prayer of St. Patrick to remind me of the Apostle Paul's prayers for himself and his friends. Today I'm looking at prayers for protection. In these verses from I Thessalonians, Paul prayed that his converts would be separated from evil (sanctified), and kept safe and holy physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Patrick prayed "Christ as a shield, overshadow me." Let's think about being in Christ's shadow for a few moments.: to be in the shadow of someone or something, I must be relatively close to it. If a child is walking close enough to a parent to be in their shadow, they are close enough to be cared for and protected.

In human terms, the word "overshadow" carries negative connotations of being less than the person whose shadow I am under. But as I think of being "overshadowed" by Jesus, this becomes a comforting truth, because I want to put my trust in something greater than I.

A shadow can also be a place of shade, a respite from the burning sun, and a place to be comfortable and refreshed. What a perfect description of being near to Jesus!

...We have run to God for safety. Now His promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls...
(Hebrews 6:19-19 CEV)

O Lord my Shield,
You overshadow me with your peace,
covering me with your love and grace.
You are my refuge and my fortress;
I trust in your faithfulness.

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I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase from a scripture portion to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "shield."

photo credit: Doonagore Castle, clear skies via photopin (license)

Book Review: Pray Like a Gourmet

I am not a gourmet cook. I can put together a decent meal that my family enjoys, but it is never anything fantastic. My husband, however, is a gourmet cook. I look forward to every meal all summer long, because Mark is home and he cooks. He takes the simplest ingredients and makes something delectable.

I thought about this as I read Pray Like a Gourmet. I want to look forward to prayer. I don’t want prayer to be a monotonous dull duty. I want to enjoy it, to taste its different flavors and treasure my time with the Lord. Prayer is communication with the Creator. Prayer can be creative!

Is there something in your spirit that keeps telling you it should be different: more interesting, more engaging, more creative, more profound? Does your prayer life feel like you’re eating the same food over and over every day—mixing the same ingredients but hoping for a new, more enticing dish? (page 7)

Author David Brazzeal seeks to expand our prayer palettes. He describes different kinds of prayer:

Adoration or praise

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication or asking

Observation

Intercession

Meditation

Contemplation

Blessing

Lamenting

Joining

As the author explores each type of prayer, he shares exercises and examples to put them into practice right away. I really appreciate his approach. He does not describe the different types with the goal of checking off every box every day. It’s more like a menu: these are available, what do you and God need to talk about today? And how can you enter into that prayer with creativity and expectation?

The book is beautiful—full of colors and sketches. There are ideas for praying alone and praying in a group. This paragraph caught my attention:

There really is a natural interplay between my spirituality and my creativity. When I enter into a spirit of prayer, I can cultivate a receptive space and actually ask God for creative ideas that will enhance my praying. Then, these creative practices allow me to enter into the spiritual space even more quickly and deeply. The result is a spiraling effect leading to ever-expanding dimensions, encompassing both deeper spirituality and heightened creativity. (page 23)

This is a nourishing book for my own prayer time, but it would be a fun and thought-provoking book to discuss in a group, especially over a great meal.

…Prayer, like the grace of God, is new every morning. The way we pray can morph itself to our emotions. It adapts itself to our agenda [and, I would add, to God’s agenda!]. It flows into our real-world, here-and-now realities. It blows through shut windows, locked doors, and closed countries…It nourishes our souls like nothing else. (page 174)

The author sent me a copy of Pray Like a Gourmet and asked me to review it. This simple review today is just the beginning as I dive into this book over the summer. I will be looking at each type of prayer in more detail. This book deserves more than just a read-through--although it is certainly an enjoyable read. I'm going to savor a chapter a week. 

Just talk with Jesus: Light

Make your ways known to me, Lord, teach me Your paths. (Psalm 25:4)

St. Patrick prayed, “Christ, as a light, illumine and guide me.” This reminds me of Paul’s prayer for enlightenment:

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be may be enlightened…(Ephesians 1:17-18)

Read Ephesians 1 here.

The Greek word Paul used for revelation in Ephesians 1:18 means “uncovering” or “revealing God;” knowledge is “exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition.” Think for a moment about carrying a flashlight on a dark night: it allows you to discern dangers on your path as well as to recognize the familiar faces of friends. It uncovers truth and increases your knowledge about your surroundings. Jesus is your Light on dark or uncertain days.

Here are three more prayers from Paul, asking for guidance and knowledge:

And I pray this, that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ. 
(Philippians 1:10 HCSB)
…We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. (Colossians 1:9 HCSB)
…That they may have all the riches of assured understanding, and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. 
(Colossians 2:2-3 HCSB)

These are really beautiful requests to make for friends, for children or for people in ministry. If you read this blog regularly, you might remember that I blogged about Jesus, the Light recently. This is one of my favorite prayer words and topics. Talk to the Light, and ask for light. Tell him you trust him to be your light today.

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I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "treasure."

photo credit: Sunset over the Irish Sea via photopin (license)

Just talk with Jesus

Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

"Prayer is just talking to Jesus." I've heard this all my life. But several years ago, I felt stuck in my prayer habits. I had a prayer list I dutifully read most days. I talked to God now and then throughout my day, but I was a very tired mom of three young daughters, and I seemed to be asking for the same things over and over. Sleep. Energy. Quiet. 

I asked God for a more meaningful prayer life, and He answered by bringing an ancient prayer to my attention. At first I saw it as an intriguing poem, but when I learned it was a modern translation of a prayer by St. Patrick, I was fascinated! (I am interested in all things Irish.)

Christ as a light

illumine and guide me.

Christ, as a shield

overshadow me.

Christ under me;

Christ over me;

Christ beside me

on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me,

lowly and meek,

yet all-powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;

in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

I hummed this prayer when I did not have my own words to pray. It expressed everything I wanted to say. I felt a new peace, as I realized that Jesus Christ really does surround me as this prayer states.

One Sunday, on a vacation in Portland, Oregon, I heard a sermon on a prayer of the Apostle Paul. His requests sounded familiar to me. I began to study Paul’s prayers. They are scattered throughout the New Testament. I realized that Patrick’s prayer could be used to summarize nine of Paul’s prayer topics. (Want to know more about St. Patrick?)

I am going to visit these nine topics over the next nine days, choosing one word each day as my prayer word.

I like to begin my prayer time with a few verses from Psalms. Join me in Psalm 63:1-8.

Lord, you know my longing for a deeper prayer life.

You know I want to speak with you, not just demand your help

Or read my prayer list.

I ask for a new dedication to prayer

And a new devotion to you.

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I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." Today's post is adapted from my book Sacred Signposts. I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "devoted."

photo credit: Cottage Window via photopin (license)

New blog series

Coming soon...

Just BE with Jesus; the Alpha and Omega

He restores my soul...(Psalm 23:3)

Read Revelation 1:1-8

Jesus used the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet when he called himself "the Alpha and Omega."

He is all we need.
He is the Bread,
the Light,
the Way,
and the Door.

He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead. (Colossians 1:17-18 NLT)
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth 
of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Philippians 3:7-8)
And my God will supply every need of yours 
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. 
Amen. (Philippians 4:19-20)

So much glorious truth, Lord.
All I can say is
"Amen."


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I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “all."

photo credit: DSC01505 via photopin (license)

Just BE with Jesus: "I am Jesus"

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

on them has light shone. (Isaiah 9:2)

Read Acts 9:1-22

I've been reading the "I am" statements in the gospel of John, and as I came to the last one, I thought of a time Jesus said "I am" in the book of Acts. He spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus--Saul the terrible persecutor of Christians--and said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."

Jesus reached out to Saul and revealed his greatness to him (that bright light from heaven) and identified himself with the Christians. Jesus didn't say, "You are persecuting my followers." He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."

What an encouraging statement to any who are treated harshly because of their Christian faith. Jesus suffers with you. He feels your pain and heartache.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows...(Isaiah 53:4)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
 and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
In all their affliction he was afflicted,
and the angel of his presence saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9)

Jesus' words to Saul are also encouraging to any who are feeling far away from Jesus. You couldn't get much further away than Saul was at that moment! Yet Jesus was there with him, speaking to him and calling his name.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off 
have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13)
...Believe in the Lord Jesus,
and you will be saved...(Acts 16:31)

Thank you
Lord Jesus
that you are near
you see every detail of my life
and you care.


_______
I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “near."

photo credit: sky via photopin (license)

Just BE with Jesus: the Vine

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

Read John 15:1-17

I think the Vine is one of the most beautiful "I Am" statements. The Vine gives the branches nourishment. The Vine enables the fruit-bearing that gives the branches a purpose. The Vine gives the branches support. I like to think of the Vine encouraging me to just hang in there!

What does it mean to bear fruit, anyway? If Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches, what is fruit? In Romans, Paul speaks of longing for a "fruitful ministry," using the word "fruit" to mean converts who are growing spiritually:

Now I want you to know, brothers, that I often planned to come to you (but was prevented until now) in order that I might have a fruitful ministry among you, just as among the rest of the Gentiles. (Romans 1:13 HCSB)

Look at these other kinds of fruit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...(Galatians 5:22-23)
...Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10)
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Hebrews 13:5)

Look back at the prayer from the book of Jude that began this post. He is able. When we are weak, the Vine is strong. When we are helpless, He is our help. Apart from him, we can do nothing.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

Lord Jesus, I find such peace
in trusting you to be the Vine.
You strengthen me,
you give me a purpose,
and you provide everything I need.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “abide."

photo credit: Napa Valley via photopin (license)

Just BE with Jesus: the Way, the Truth and the Life

Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; 
for you I wait all the day  long. (Psalm 25:5)

Read John 14:1-30.

I am so grateful that Jesus saves us from our sin and promises us a home in heaven, and he doesn't leave us to just wander aimlessly around on earth in the meantime. He guides us every day, opening his truth to us and infusing us with his life.

Yesterday I told you about my dark tunnel year. The darkness ended in great joy when our daughter was born. I settled into the routine of stay at home motherhood, and I loved it. A few months later, my husband lost his job. He found a new job very quickly, but it involved a move from Oregon's lush Willamette Valley to the dusty desert of Vegas. I missed my friends and evergreen trees and mountains with snow on them year 'round. I read a lot of books that first year in the desert, and I found a new love for my Bible. As I look back at that time, I see the Lord being my Way, Truth and Life.

This is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever. (Psalm 48:14)
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. (Psalm 78:24)
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
(Psalm 86:11)

Lord Jesus,
help me to grasp ever more firmly
the purpose for which you chose me.
I trust that you will guide my every step.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “guide."

photo credit: Coastal Path via photopin (license)

Just BE with Jesus: the Resurrection and the Life

You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. (Psalm 18:35)

Read John 11:17-44

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26a)
Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them. (Hebrews 7:25 Amplified)

Keri Wyatt Kent’s excellent book Deeper into the Word: New Testament taught me that the Greek word translated “resurrection” (“anastasis”) means “to cause to stand up on one’s feet again.”

The Lord was my Resurrection and Life (continually putting me back on my feet) in a special way during a dark time fifteen years ago. After longing to have a child for several years, I miscarried twice, just a few months apart. Depression and grief hit me hard, and the dark tunnel of hopelessness seemed never-ending. A third pregnancy added the daily fear of a new loss. The book of Psalms was my companion during this time. There was a light of hope in that book! As I read the ancient biblical prayers of praise, joy, sorrow, anger, and every other emotion, I learned to pour my heart out to the Lord, and to seek his strength.

Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually! (Psalm 105:4)
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure. (Psalm 40:2)

Lord, I noticed that you spoke these words
--the Resurrection and the Life--
to Martha alone.
This was your personal message
of comfort to her.
Thank you for the times you
have given comfort to me.
Open my ears to hear you
more often.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “strength."

photo credit: An autumn sun rise in rural Saskatchewan via photopin (license)

Elisabeth Elliot died today

I remember her gentle voice on the radio. My parents gave me a page-a-day calendar with quotes from her books. One page brought me great peace. I do not remember the exact wording, but it was something like this: "Perhaps you have not discovered any talents or gifts in your life. I believe that eternity will reveal that you yourself have been a gift to someone." I read this when I was nineteen, and I was pretty sure the Holy Spirit had missed me when handing out spiritual gifts. I was dating an amazingly talented young man (now my husband), and this quote gave me truth and hope.

I loved what Steve Saint said in this article:

I think Elisabeth would be happy just being remembered as not much of a woman that God used greatly. To the rest of us mortals she was an incredibly talented and gifted woman who trusted God in life's greatest calamities, even the loss of her mind to dementia, and who allowed God to use her. He did use her.

There is an excellent summary of Elisabeth's life here.

Just Thought I'd Mention...

I'm taking a day off from my Just Be with Jesus series. On Mondays I like to mention Good Stuff I found online.

Today I want to mention Margaret Feinberg's online study, Scouting the Divine. I read this book several years ago, and I am excited to revisit it.

Are you following Catherine Martin's Quiet Time Ministies on Facebook? Catherine posts beautiful photos and short devotions every day.

Need a new recipe for chicken thighs? Doro Wat is delicious. It is a little time-consuming, but worth it.

Here is a great breakfast or dinner recipe: Italian Baked Eggs. Dairy free and grain free and yummy! I found that we each wanted two servings.

Just BE with Jesus: The Good Shepherd

This God, our God, forever and ever—He will always lead us. 
(Psalm 48:13-14)

Read John 10:1-18

Yesterday I meditated on the Lord as the Door of the Sheep, providing blessings and leading me out to green pastures in his time. Today as I thought of the Good Shepherd, I noticed the word “follow,” and I thought about how I can be a reluctant sheep at times, really dragging my feet on the path because I don’t know about the still waters nearby. The Good Shepherd is faithful, and worthy of my trust.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.  I and the Father are one. (John 10:27-30)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “follow."

photo credit: Shepherd Meadows, Blackwater Hampshire via photopin (license)

Just BE with Jesus: the Door

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. (Psalm 69:13)

Read John 10:1-10

In Biblical times, sheepfolds were usually round stone enclosures. A gap in the circular shape allowed the sheep to go in and out. At night the shepherd would sit or lie across the entrance. So when Jesus declared, “I am the door of the sheep,” his listeners probably pictured a shepherd in the entrance to a sheepfold.

When I ask the Lord to be the Door, I acknowledge his wisdom and his control over my circumstances. I imagine sheep trying to sneak around the shepherd, not realizing that he knows of danger lurking outside. Psalm 121 calls the Lord our "keeper" (verse 5), and I thank the Lord for keeping me where he wants me to be.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep…I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:7 & 9)
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. 
(Psalm 121:8)
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:5)

Like a wise and loving shepherd,
you offer me protection
and rest
and wider horizons.
you know my needs better than I do.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is "keep."

photo credit: Kappadokien via photopin (license)

Just BE with Jesus: the Light

The precepts of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
(Psalm 19:8)

Read John 9:1-7

I love this story! The disciples wanted to place the blame for this man’s condition on him or his parents. Jesus wanted to set him free. When I ask Jesus to be my Light, I am asking him to show me what really matters and to open my eyes to new possibilities.

…I am the light of the world. (John 9:5)
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.” (John 9:3)
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent…(Philippians 1:9-10)

O Light of the World,
I trust you
to illuminate my path
today.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “light."

photo credit: Templin Highway Sunrise via photopin (license)

Just Be with Jesus: Bread

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

That we may rejoice and be glad all our days. (Psalm 90:14)

John 6:1-40

I used to think that Jesus being the Bread of Life meant that he would provide for my physical needs. That is what he did in John 6. But he also said that he could do more than that—so much more.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

(John 6:35-37)

 Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go. 

(John 6:37 The Message)

I take refuge in you,

Bread of life,

Trusting that you will satisfy

Hunger and thirst

Longing and worry.

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This blogpost is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “satisfy."

photo credit: No Knead Bread via photopin (license)

Just Be with Jesus: the Word

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5)

Read John 1:1-18

The Living Word lived in our world and described himself in everyday words like light, bread, and truth. His disciple John shared the words of the Word in the book of John. John showed us the Word—Jesus—in action, being the light, the truth and the way.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:9)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Lord Jesus,
you are God's Message
wrapped in a human body
to live with us
and light our way.
I want to hear
your word
and follow your path
today.

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This reading is based on my book, You Are Here. I am revisiting the themes of several of my books as I seek to “just be with Jesus." I am putting aside lengthy readings for a season, and instead looking for one word or phrase to carry through the day. Today’s word, for me, is “word."

photo credit: Christ Pantocrator icon (Sinai) via photopin (license)

Marinate

At the women's conference I attended a few weeks ago, Margaret Feinberg spoke of marinating in the truth of God's fierce love for us. (You can read more in her book, Fight Back with Joy.) I love Margaret's choice of the word "marinate."

Marinating changes tough things to tender, and blah things to flavorful and fabulous.

Today I read Psalm 136. Here are the first four verses:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

This Psalm models a poetic way to marinate in God's love. Repeat it. Sing it. Make it the theme of your day.

Psalm 136 could be a template for a simple prayer of thanksgiving:
state a blessing, and repeat his faithfulness.
Stick to recent blessings, or look back over your entire life.
Use different versions to find the phrase that sounds most natural on your tongue today:

The ESV version uses the phrase "His steadfast love endures forever."
NLT says "His faithful love endures forever."
Amplified expands on the theme, "His faithful love and mercy endure forever."
The Message states simply, "His love never quits."


I thank you, Lord, for the clouds and coolness today,
for your faithful love endures forever.
I praise you, Lord for your faithfulness in every season,
for your steadfast love endures forever.
Thank you for the spaghetti sauce bubbling in my crockpot,
for your faithful love and mercy endure forever.
Thank you for reminding me to plug in the crockpot before I left today,
for your love never quits.

photo credit: via photopin (license)

Just thought I'd Mention...

A few links on Monday morning

Tricia Lott Williford shares 4 Ways to Help Someone in Crisis. Tricia is a young widow. Her blog is the funniest, most touching blog ever. I appreciate the insights she shares in this post at Crosswalk.

Micha Boyett calls us to cultivate space in our ordinary miraculous lives. Micha is a mom of three who writes about faith on the midst of new challenges.

This recipe from the Whole 30 cookbook for bangers and mash is fabulous. I made the sausages twice--once as written, and once with ground turkey. My husband said that the turkey would need more fat in order to stick together, so I added some coconut oil. I have no idea how much. I was cooking like my Grandma cooked, using measurements like "some." I tripled the recipe so that we could have leftovers for breakfast.

My daughters and I have discovered Cake in a Mug. This gluten free grain free version is easy and yummy. It is not sugar free, nor is it Whole 30 compliant. And if I eat it every day, I am going to be shaped just like our cat.

Photo credit: Ruth Leamy, 2015 Marian the Cat

Unfolding

Comfort me so that I can live, really live;
your revelation is the tune I dance to. (Psalm 119:76-77)

I am really enjoying Psalm 119 this week. I began  my reading with the verse that spoke to me yesterday ("live, really live") , and then I moved on to verses 113-176. I found the word "unfolding" in verse 130.

The unfolding of your words gives light; 
it imparts understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:130)

I thought of the maps I used to carry around in my car, and how difficult it was to refold the map into pristine condition. But the map was useless if I only looked at the pretty cover.

I checked out several other translations.

The entrance of thy words giveth light; 
it giveth understanding unto the simple. (KJV)
Break open your words, let the light shine out, 
let ordinary people see the meaning. (The Message)
The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; 
their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple. (Amplified)
Your word is a doorway that lets in light, and it helps gullible people understand. (God's Word)

I used blueletterbible.org to look up the meaning of the word "entrance" in the King James Version. According to Strong's concordance, the Hebrew word here is pethach, and it means "opening, unfolding, entrance, doorway."

Today, Lord
I ask you to unfold your word to me.
Break open its truths
like jewels sparkling in the sun.
If there are areas in my life
where I am gullible
(easily led astray by worldly wisdom),
redirect me to your path.
As I walk in your truth,
may your truth enter me
and change me.

photo credit: i've seen this road before via photopin (license)

Live, really live

I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
I relish everything you’ve told me of life,
I won’t forget a word of it. (Psalm 119:15-16 The Message)

I found this terribly grainy photo of my middle daughter jumping in a pile of leaves. In our previous neighborhood, we gathered all the leaves we could find, swept them into a pile, and took photos of the kids jumping into them every autumn. Our non-desert-dwelling friends scoffed at our pitifully small pile of leaves, but the children loved this. Now we live in a different neighborhood, and I will have to scout out a new location for the Yearly Leaf Jumping Photo. (Yes, that deserves to be capitalized. Family traditions deserve capital letters.)

I love this photo because it captures my daughter’s delight, and perhaps her entire personality. It was Leaf Jumping Day, and she jumped with all her heart. Who cared if the leaf pile was only three inches tall?

Annika was born with the ability to enjoy every moment. When she was four, she kept a mental list of the Best Days Ever. They included simple things like “the day Mama helped in my class at church” and “the day we had chocolate cake at the coffee shop.” Soon her list was very long, because her outlook on life made almost every day a Best Day Ever.

Today I am in the middle of Psalm 119 (verses 57-112).

“Comfort me so I can live, really live;
Your revelation is the tune I dance to. (Psalm 119:77 The Message)

Live, really live.
The phrase has been echoing in my mind all day. What does it mean to “live, really live”
while I fold laundry,
while I meet with church friends to plan next year’s Bible studies,
while a migraine interrupts my life?

Does it mean that
you are the song in my heart when life is mundane,
the harmony of our individual goals as we plan next year’s Bible studies,
the quiet coziness of my bed on a migraine day?

…I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

I am convinced that you offer us this abundant life now,
not some day when our ship comes in
(it’s difficult for ships to reach Las Vegas anyway).

Lord, show me how to live, really live,
in my neighborhood,
in my church,
and in your word.

Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight!
    just the way you promised.
Now comfort me so I can live, really live;
    your revelation is the tune I dance to. (Psalm 119:76-77 The Message)